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(No Model.)

W. J. SHAFPER. PLATE 0R PAN LIFTER.

No. 554,545. Patented Feb. 11, 1896.

WITNESSES 11V Vii/V2 'Ofl .21 Ziomzey NITE STATES ATENT OFFICE.

IVILLIAM J. SHAFFER, OF GALVESTON, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO CHARLES E. FAVVCETT, OF SAME PLACE.

PLATE OR PAN LIFTER.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 554,545, dated February 11, 1896.

Application filed November 14:, 1895- Serial No. 568,969. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM J. SHAFFER, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at Galveston, in the county of Cass and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Plate or Pan Lifters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a plate or pan lifter which is simple in construction and has a section movable with respect to a fixed section, the movable section being spring-actuated in the direct-ion toward the fixed section, and the shank or connecting-rod thereof is provided with a cross-bar which projects through the sides of the hollow handle so that the device may be operated with one hand.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of the parts, as will be hereinafter fully set forth and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved plate or pan lifter, and Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View.

A designates the handle of the implement, which is hollow and preferably made up of two sections connected to each other at the ends by ferrules a and a, the sections being slit or cut away at their edges to provide the handle with a longitudinal recess or slot a on each side. The handle may be made of a single sheet of metal bent upon itself to form a cylinder which is held rigid by the ferrules a and a. Longitudinally within the hollow handle is located a rod 1), which is secured at one end to the ferrule a and passes through the ferrule a to form a support for the fixed section B of the implement, the rod having rigidly attached thereto, within the handle,

a block a which adjoins the end of the ferrule a. The part of the rod which extends beyond the handle is given a double bend, as

is attached to its supporting-rod, and this rod is passed through an aperture in the ferrule a of the handle and through an aperture in the block a the inner end of said rod having rigidly secured thereto a block 0 to which a cross-bar c is attached, the ends of the crossbar passing through the longitudinal slots in the sides of the handle. A helical spring 01 encircles the rods 1) and c and is interposed between the blocks a and c to which it is attached, the tension of the spring being to move the section or jaw C toward the jaw B, and in operation this tension is overcome to spread the jaws by drawing upon the cross-bar c which is attached to the block 0.

It will be here noted that the block 0 slides upon the rod 1), said rod thereby acting as a guide for the block, and as the cross-bar c extends beyond the sides of the handle the fingers of the hand that holds the implement can be made to operate the movable jaw.

The sections or jaws B and C are similar in shape, each consisting of a plate of metal segmental in shape and bent to be substantially right-angular in cross-section, the ends of the sections or jaws being provided with extensions which may be used to turn a pan by hooking in the ring thereof.

The rod b is provided adjacent to the jaw B with an inwardly-projecting lug (2 against which the edge of the pan will contact to prevent it tilting.

The device hereinbefore described provides a very cheap, simple and useful article for kitchen use, and onein which pans and plates can be readily handled.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A plate or pan lifter comprising ahollow handle with longitudinal slots to which handle is rigidly affixed one of the jaws, and a movable jaw having a rod which slides in the handle and is provided with a cross-bar which ICO projects through the slots therein, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a plate or pan lifter, the combination with a hollow handle having slots in the sides thereof, of a rod rigidly secured to the handle and carrying a jaw at its outer end, to gether with a movable jaw having a rod which slides in the handle and is provided with a cross-bar projecting through the slots therein, and a spring interposed between a fixed portion of the rod of the movable jaw and the handle, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a plate or pan lifter, the combination with a hollow handle having slots in the sides thereof, of a rod rigidly secured within the handle and projecting beyond the same to support a stationary jaw, a movable jaw having a rod which slides in the handle and is attached to a block or collar loosely mounted on the rigid rod, and a helical spring attached to the collar and to the handle, the collar having a cross-bar which extends through the slots in the handle,substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

4.. As an improved article of manufacture a panlifter comprising a hollow handle having longitudinal slots in its sides, a rod 1) rigidly secured within the handle and supporting a jaw B which is braced thereto by wires, a block or collar 0 loosely mounted upon the rod 1), a movable jaw 0 having a rod 0 to which it is connected and braced by wires, the inner'end of the rod 0 being attached to the collar 0', and a helical spring encircling the rods Z) and c and attached to the collar 0 and to the handle, the jaws B and C having projections, substantially as shown and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

\VILLIAM J. SHAFFER.

\Vitnesses:

B. 13. RICHARDS, JOHN F. EIsnNBURv. 

